Equity compensation services help companies design, administer, and improve the programs they use to grant ownership or ownership-like incentives. Depending on the company’s needs, these services may include stock plan administration, compliance support, employee education, vendor implementation, process design, IPO readiness, or M&A support.
Administration Services
Administration services cover the recurring operational work: grants, vesting, exercises, releases, ESPP activity, participant support, reporting, reconciliation, and equity platform workflows. This is often the first area companies outsource when internal bandwidth is limited.
Compliance and Reporting Services
Equity compensation creates tax, accounting, securities, and employee reporting obligations. Companies may need support with Section 16 processes, Section 6039 reporting, ASC 718 coordination, proxy support, blackout processes, and audit requests.
Systems and Vendor Support
Most equity programs depend on a dedicated platform. Vendor support can include platform selection, implementation, data migration, configuration, integrations, testing, and optimization after go-live.
Strategic Consulting Services
Companies also need strategic help when designing equity programs, improving processes, preparing for IPO readiness, or managing equity treatment during M&A. These projects require both technical equity knowledge and practical operating experience.
Choosing the Right Support Model
The right support model depends on complexity, transaction volume, internal capacity, and upcoming company events. AEP offers flexible equity plan services so companies can choose fully outsourced administration, targeted project support, temporary coverage, or strategic consulting.